I should have, above all things, given you the unwelcome advice to sustain your honor unblemished, and dispose of your costly surroundings for the benefit of your creditors, that when you die it may be with a clear conscience. You prefer a life of luxury and ease, rocking your conscience to sleep until God will rouse it to a fearful awaking. But do as you like. I came here to offer you assistance, thinking that you would dispose of this property, and after paying your creditors have sufficient to live upon. Then Icould be permitted to prove my fidelity to you. I now see that I was a fool. Yet in parting I will still beg of you to avoid the unfavorable impression of this dinner. The bill of exchange will be presented at four o'clock, and the bearer will not be satisfied with the excuse of your non-payment on account of dinner-company. You will be obliged to settle at once or be arrested. I have learned this from your chief creditor, and I begged him to have forbearance for you. I shall now justify him in showing you none, as you do not deserve it!--Farewell!"The old book-keeper turned with a slight nod, and strode away through the drawing-room.
"Have you nothing to say to him? Will you let him go thus?" asked Marie, impetuously.
"Nothing at all. What should I say?" he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Then I will speak with him." Marie called loudly after Splittgerber, saying, "I have a word to speak to you."The book-keeper remained standing near the door, and turning with downcast face, demanded of Marie what she wished.
"I have something to tell you," she replied, with her usual tranquil, proud demeanor, approaching Splittgerber, who regarded her with severity and contempt, which she met with a gentle, friendly expression, a sweet smile hovering on her lips.
Marie came close up to the old man, who awaited her with haughty defiance, and never advanced one step to meet her--a lady splendidly bedecked with diamonds and gold-embroidered satin. She whispered a few words in his ear. He started, and, astonished, looked into her face, as if questioning what he heard. She nodded, smiling, and bent again to say a few words.
Suddenly Splittgerber seemed metamorphosed. His gloomy face brightened a little, and his insolent glance was changed to one of deep emotion, Bowing profoundly as he held the baroness's proffered hand to take leave, he pressed it most respectfully to his lips.
"You will return in an hour?" Marie asked.
"Yes; I shall seek the gentlemen, and bring them with me," he graciously replied.
"Thanks; I will then await you."
Splittgerber departed, and Marie returned to Ebenstreit who, amazed, muttered some unintelligible words, having listened to her mysterious conversation with the old book-keeper.
"Now to you, sir!" said she, her whole tone and manner changing to harsh command; "the hour for settling our accounts has arrived--the hour that I have awaited, purchasing it by four years of torture, self-contempt, and despair. This comedy is at an end. I will buy of you my freedom. Do you hear me? I will cast off these galley-chains.
I will be free!"
"Oh, Marie!" he cried, retreating in terror, "with what fearful detestation you regard me!""Do you wonder at it? Have I ever concealed this hate from you, or ever given you hope to believe that a reconciliation would be possible between us?""No, truly you have not, but now you will forgive me, for you know how I love you, and have provided for your future. You will remain rich, and I shall be poor."Marie regarded him with unspeakable contempt. "You are more despicable than I thought you were. You do not deserve forbearance or pity, for you are a dishonorable bankrupt, who cares not how much others may suffer, provided his future is secured. I will not, however, suffer the name which I have borne against my will, to be defamed and become a mark for scorn. I will compel you to remain an honest man, and be just to your creditors. I propose to pay the bills of exchange, which will be presented to you to-day, provided you will consent to my conditions.""Oh, Marie, you are an angel!" he cried, rushing toward her and kneeling at her feet, "I will do all that you wish, and consent to every thing you propose.""Will you swear it?" she coldly replied.
"I swear that I accept your conditions."
"Bring the writing-materials from the window-niche, and seat yourself by this table."Ebenstreit brought them, and seated himself by the Florentine mosaic table, near which Marie was standing.
She drew from her pocket a paper, which she unfolded and placed before him to sign. "Sign this with your full name, and add, 'With my own free will and consent,'" she commandingly ordered him.
"But you will first make known to me the contents?""You have sworn to sign it," she said, "and unless you accept my conditions, you are welcome to be incarcerated for life in the debtor's prison. You have only to choose. If you decide in the negative, I will exert myself that your creditors do not free you. Ishould trust in the justice of God having sent you there, and that man in miserable pity should not act against His will in freeing you. Now decide; will you sign the paper, or go to prison as a dishonorable bankrupt?"He hastily seized the pen and wrote his name, handing the paper to Marie, sighing.
"You have forgotten to add the clause, 'With my own free will and consent,'" she replied, hastily glancing at it, letting the paper drop like a wilted leaf, and her eyes flashing with scorn.
